Join a Community That Understands You

Get answers from those who share your health journey

Left Image 1Middle Image 1Right Image 1
avatar

Ceramie

Updated 11mo ago

Pollution and Menstrual Issues: My Experience

Pollution! Ok, so for all the people out there suffering with menstrual issues, I've just made a major discovery: pollution levels have a MASSIVE effect on my symptoms. I've made the connection before, but I assumed it was one of a number of factors that affected me. But I got the chance to go for a break recently and instead of a week where I usually live (one of the most polluted areas in the whole of the UK next to a motorway in London), I was in the Cairngorms (one of the least polluted areas in the UK). The difference was unbelievable: by the end of the week I was doing things I never thought I'd be able to do again. (One of my primary symptoms is loose joints which cause a lot of pain, fatigue and mean I injure easily. I usually have trouble walking more than 50 yards. by the end of the week, I was ziplining and hill walking, and had stopped sleeping 18 hours a day.) I knew it affected me, but I've never before been to a truly unpolluted area and seen the full difference. (I've always lived in areas of mid-high pollution and noticed modest improvements when I visit family who lived in areas with slightly better air quality.) When I first realised it was a factor, there wasn't a lot of meaningful research available. But now I revisit the subject online, there are more studies linking pollution levels to hormone disruption. The main culprits are probably PAHs (polycyclic aromatic compounds) that are produced by industry and vehicle emissions. (In other words, not the compounds you can filter out with a mask.) They can disrupt or mimic hormones. Some of them hang around in your body for a few days, others can take up to a year to fully clear from your system. I'd love to know just how many other women are suffering messed up periods because of this. Have you ever noticed a connection? Have you ever tried visiting somewhere truly unpolluted? I'd love to hear other experiences, or maybe spark an epiphany for someone else.

Can you help? Connect today

avatar

Katharina

1y

I never thought allergy thing would affect that time of the month!!! But I don’t doubt it! I have PMDD so I found some vitamins that work for me buuut I also do blame the weather for everything and now I can say for certainty that there is truth on how we feel based of the weather! Who knew! I wish Docter knew more about stuff like that. Something so simple! I would prolly wanna move to that nice area!!!

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

feed-footer-0

Free unlimited access

to all community content

feed-footer-1

Find others who are

medically similar to you

feed-footer-2

Pose questions and join

meaningful discussions

pp-logo

Alike is a transformative platform that goes beyond just bringing together patients; it meticulously connects individuals based on multiple critical factors, such as age, gender, comorbidities, medications, diet, and more, fostering a community of knowledge, support and empathy.

appStoreBtngooglePlayBtn

© 2020-2024 Alike, Inc